The wall of Mr. Obama’s town hall Facebook page, where the event is being streamed, is lighting up with comments pro and con. Amid suggestions for how to scale back the budget deficit and praise for the job he’s done so far, the president’s Facebook “friends” are offering criticism of a range of topics, from his energy policy and approach to Social Security and foreign affairs.

“I’m curious how you can deny a raise in social security two years in a row claiming there was NO increase in the cost of living when the price of gas has doubled which has lead to higher prices on EVERYTHING being transported,” writes another.

Other posts are harsher: “Mr. President I also would like to know why do you hate this awesome country much?”

Mr. Obama has his share of defenders on his page. “This is one man standing up for everyone. He’d be doing other things if he didn’t have to fight the Tea Party,” writes one.

House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi of California is also in the audience, along with California Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom.

The town hall is being held at Facebook headquarters in a large, open industrial space down the hall from the “Dream Room,” presumably a place for creative brainstorming.

Moderating the town hall is Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, with the sleeves of his white dress shirt rolled up—just like the president’s. “I’m kind of nervous. We have the president of the United States here,” Mr. Zuckerberg told the audience.

The town hall, expected to last an hour, is featuring questions from the live audience – 500 Facebook employees and 200 other guests – as well as questions submitted online.

There should be plenty positive ones to choose from despite the criticism on the president’s wall.

Asks one of his Facebook friends: “What would you like us to do Mr. President in the coming months leading up to the elections in 2012?”

About Washington Wire

Washington Wire is one of the oldest standing features in American journalism. Since the Wire launched on Sept. 20, 1940, the Journal has offered readers an informal look at the capital. Now online, the Wire provides a succession of glimpses at what’s happening behind hot stories and warnings of what to watch for in the days ahead. The Wire is led by Reid J. Epstein, with contributions from the rest of the bureau. Washington Wire now also includes Think Tank, our home for outside analysis from policy and political thinkers.